21-year-old man arrested after stealing ambulance

A 21-year-old man was arrested early Sunday morning after driving off in an ambulance that had been parked downtown.

Lawrence Police Sgt. Susan Hadl said that Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical crews had left the ambulance near the intersection of 10th and Massachusetts streets while they responded to a medical call at the Jazzhaus, 926 Mass.

While the crews were away from the vehicle, an intoxicated man got into the ambulance and began driving away, heading westbound on 10th Street. Hadl said the man believed he had no other means of transportation home.

The man led police on a brief low-speed chase. It began at 2:22 a.m. and ended just a few minutes later at the intersection of 10th and Tennessee streets. Numerous police cars surrounded the vehicle, and the man was taken into custody without incident.

The man was arrested on charges of theft over $100,000 as well as driving under the influence. His bond was set at $5,000.

No one was injured, and no property was damaged during the incident.